CVE-2026-64237 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/24/2026
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Input: elan_i2c - validate firmware size before use
Ensure that the firmware file is large enough to contain the expected number of pages and the signature (which resides at the end of the firmware blob) before accessing them to prevent potential out-of-bounds reads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2026
The vulnerability in question affects the elan_i2c driver within the Linux kernel, specifically addressing a critical issue related to firmware validation during device initialization. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that could potentially be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources or execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of firmware file dimensions before attempting to access specific memory regions containing page data and cryptographic signatures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the elan_i2c driver's firmware handling logic where the system attempts to read firmware data without first verifying that the supplied firmware file contains sufficient bytes to accommodate both the expected number of pages and the signature portion located at the end of the firmware blob. This validation gap creates a scenario where the kernel may attempt to access memory locations beyond the actual firmware file boundaries, leading to out-of-bounds memory reads that could expose sensitive information or cause system instability.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems utilizing ELAN touchpad controllers through I2C interfaces. Attackers could potentially craft malicious firmware files designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially extracting kernel memory contents or causing denial of service conditions that would compromise system availability. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure since such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks targeting kernel memory management systems.
The fix implemented addresses this issue by introducing mandatory size validation checks before any firmware data access operations are performed. This approach aligns with established security practices and follows the principle of input validation that is fundamental to preventing buffer overflow conditions and related memory corruption vulnerabilities. The solution ensures that the firmware file contains adequate bytes to support both the expected page structure and the signature verification process located at the end of the firmware blob.
This vulnerability type maps directly to CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, representing a clear violation of secure coding practices in kernel space operations. The remediation approach follows ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation by preventing potential exploitation paths through inadequate input validation. The fix demonstrates proper defensive programming techniques that should be applied across all kernel drivers handling external firmware inputs, emphasizing the importance of validating data integrity before processing.
The mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive size checks that verify the firmware file length against expected minimum values based on page count requirements and signature size constraints. This validation process must occur before any memory access operations are permitted, ensuring that the kernel's memory management subsystem remains protected from potential corruption or information disclosure attacks. The solution maintains backward compatibility while significantly reducing the attack surface for privilege escalation attempts targeting the Linux kernel's device driver framework.
Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability patch deployment across all systems utilizing ELAN touchpad controllers, particularly in environments where firmware update mechanisms are exposed to untrusted inputs. The vulnerability represents a critical risk in embedded systems and enterprise environments where kernel memory integrity is paramount for overall system security posture. Regular auditing of kernel drivers for similar input validation gaps should be conducted to prevent analogous vulnerabilities from emerging in other device drivers within the same framework.